Comparison

Telling Lies vs Next Word

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Telling Lies

Explore a database of secretly recorded video conversations to uncover the truth behind four interconnected lives. This investigative thriller game uses non-linear storytelling where you piece together a shocking incident by searching for keywords and watching clips.

Highlights
  • Non-linear storytelling
  • Secretly recorded video conversations
  • Searchable video database
  • Investigative thriller gameplay
  • Player-driven narrative
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

A Video Game About Private Conversations An investigative thriller game with non-linear storytelling, Telling Lies revolves around a cache of secretly recorded video conversations. Starring Logan Marshall-Green, Alexandra Shipp, Kerry Bishé, Angela Sarafyan and directed by Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story and Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. How does it work? Telling Lies sits you in front of an anonymous laptop loaded with a stolen NSA database full of footage. The footage covers two years in the intimate lives of four people whose stories are linked by a shocking incident. Explore the database by typing search terms, watch the clips where those words are spoken and piece together your story. Unlike anything you've played before, Telling Lies is an intimate and intense experience. A game where you decide the truth.

About

Next Word

Race against the clock to form word combinations from given letters. Score higher by creating more words and climb the global leaderboard. Offers two game modes: a fast-paced Time Attack and a more relaxed Infinity Play.

Highlights
  • Form word combinations from given letters
  • Race against the clock
  • Global leaderboard
  • Time Attack mode
  • Infinity Play mode
  • Easy to play
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Next Word, the exciting new word game that challenges your vocabulary and quick thinking skills! With Next Word, you have to race against the clock to create as many word combinations as possible from the given letters before time runs out. If you're looking for a fun and engaging game that will keep you on your toes, Next Word is the perfect choice. It's easy to play, yet offers a thrilling challenge that will leave you hooked for hours. All you have to do is tap the letters that appear to form words. The more words you create, the higher your score and the higher you'll climb on the global leaderboard! Next Word offers two exciting game modes to keep you entertained for hours. In Time Attack, you have to make as many words as possible before the clock runs out. It’s a race against time, and you’ll need to be quick and accurate to come out on top. For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, Infinity Play mode give you extra time for each successful word. So the more words you make, the longer you can keep playing! It’s the perfect way to relax and unwind while still keeping your mind sharp. With its addictive gameplay, multiple game modes, and global leaderboard, Next Word is the ultimate word game for you and your friends. So what are you waiting for? Download Next Word now and start playing!

Screenshots

Telling Lies4 screens
Next Word4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Next Word at Free against Telling Lies's $6.99. Next Word also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 57%) and rating (5.0 vs 3.9). Telling Lies's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (106 vs 2). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Next Word is free to download; Telling Lies costs $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Next Word holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Telling Lies has 106 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Telling Lies's written reviews are positive against 100% of Next Word's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Telling Lies ships an update every 3 days, Next Word every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Telling Lies versus Next Word: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTelling LiesNext Word
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (106 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings106 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#15 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro
Requires iOS12.2 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size3.1 GB7 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAnnapurna Games, LLCApp Launchers LLC

Customer experience

Telling Lies

All ratings106 ratings
Positive69.8%
Neutral5.7%
Negative24.5%
Written reviews105 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral10.5%
Negative32.4%

Next Word

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Telling Lies

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Game crashes on startup or during gameplay
  • No sound on iPhone speakers (Bluetooth audio works)
  • Bluetooth audio compatibility issues
  • Subtitle/text sync problems during video playback
  • Slow and laggy video scrubbing controls
Show 4 more
  • High CPU/GPU usage on MacBook Air M1
  • Game crashes in specific locations during progression
  • Font sizes too small on iPhone displays
  • Video playback freezing or stuttering

Requested features

9 requests
  • Side-by-side video playback for conversation pairs
  • Quick jump to video beginning button
  • 30-second skip/fast-forward functionality
  • Note-taking system for tracking clues
  • Progress indicator showing story completion
Show 4 more
  • Tutorial or onboarding guidance
  • Synchronized conversation viewing
  • Achievement or reward system
  • Better search functionality with exact matching

Next Word

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Telling Lies

No in-app purchases

None

Next Word

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Telling Lies free?
Telling Lies costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Next Word free?
Next Word is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Telling Lies or Next Word?
Next Word is rated higher. Telling Lies averages 3.9 out of 5 from 106 ratings, while Next Word averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Telling Lies or Next Word have ads?
Neither Telling Lies nor Next Word shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Telling Lies or Next Word?
Telling Lies ships an update every 3 days, and Next Word every 6 months. Most recently, Telling Lies was updated on November 2, 2026 and Next Word on November 3, 2026.

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